Music

Lady Antebellum’s fifth studio album, “747,” will take flight on Sept. 30. The set, the trio’s first since 2013’s “Golden,” includes first single, “Bartender,” which bulleted at No. 11 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week. The band produced the album with Nathan Chapman, best know for his work with Taylor Swift. “We are pushing ourselves as a band and as songwriters,” says Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “Taking ourselves out of our comfort zone and not taking ourselves too seriously. There's an urgency and an energy to it that we've never released before.” Lady Antebellum is in the middle of its 80-city Take Me Downtown arena tour. 747 Track List: 1. Long Stretch of Love (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Josh Kear) 2. Bartender (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Rodney Clawson) 3. Lie With Me (Marc Beeson, Abe Stoklasa) 4. Freestyle (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Shane McAnally) 5. Down South (Stephanie Chapman, »

On July 4th, Kanye West, wearing his face mask du jour, started singing "Runaway" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy for the crowd at the Wireless Festival in London before getting sidetracked with an Epic fifteen minute rant in which he called out Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, the media, and everyone else in the world who doesn't believe in The Genius of Kanye West. His diatribe is sprawling, long, and very Kanye with its auto-tune and made-up words. We here at Vulture love you so much that we transcribed the entire thing.[singing/autotune] Don’t let nobody tell you what you can do, what you can believe, what you can achieve. Don’t let nobody but you. You know, people be looking at me like I got a problem or something. Like I’m uncontrollable or something. Like I don’t do what I’m supposed to do. You know it » - E. Alex Jung See full article at Vulture

With the 86th Annual Academy Awards less than two months away, the Academy announced Monday that nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend will perform at its official post-Oscars celebration, the Governors Ball on March 2.

Jeffrey Kurland, Costume Design Branch governor and chair of the Governors Ball, noted the singer’s accomplishments and said in a statement, “John Legend is one of the industry’s most innovative and talented artists.”

Legend received eight Grammy nominations for his 2004 debut album “Get Lifted” and won the awards for R&B album, new artist of the year and male R&B vocal performance for his hit song “Ordinary People.” Legend’s most recent album “Love in the Future” earned him a R&B album nomination at this year’s Grammys. The artist’s songs have also been featured on the soundtracks of films including “Waiting for Superman,” “Think Like a Man” and “Django Unchained. »

Amid promotions for his buddy cop comedy "Ride Along,"Ice Cube is hard at work producing a film about his former rap group. The flick, titled "Straight Outta Compton," has landed "Friday" and "Law Abiding Citizen" director F. Gary Gray, and Cube says that casting will begin on January 8.

"We just tryin' to tell the story of the world's most dangerous group," Cube tells MTV News. "We're trying to tell aspects of our lives that people don't know about, people aren't privy to."

Script details are sparse, but expect the city of Compton to play a large part in the drama.

"The neighborhood influenced N.W.A, and then N.W.A influenced the neighborhood," hinted Cube. "That's what we're trying to portray."

The N.W.A movie has been in development for quite some time, but has picked up steam in recent months. Meanwhile, Cube is showing off his comedic chops in "Ride Along" opposite Kevin Hart, opening nationwide on January 17.

And if your earbuds are itching for some fresh music from Ice Cube, the rapper's highly anticipated Everythang's Corrupt is set to street on May 13.

The release marks Cube's 10th LP and his first studio effort since 2010's I Am the West. Little is known about the content of the album, but Cube did drop its title track more than a year ago, ahead of the 2012 election.

"This record is for the political heads," Cube told HipHopDX at the time. "This to me is more a leak at the right time, in time, to drop it. We could have dropped a more catchier tune, but the time wouldn't have been right. The time is right for 'Everythang's Corrupt,' so that's what we wanted to do. We wanted to drop it at this point and time, and then come with a visual to highlight what we're saying in the music."

The fast-paced video featured news clips from some of 2012's biggest scandals interspersed with campaign footage of Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

Like a great novelist poking at a meaning-of-life theme and
never quite offering a concrete answer to remedy the thorniness, Kanye West â€” likely aware of the
waves of discomfort radiating from his titling a new song for Kim Kardashian "Perfect
Bitch" â€” took his Twitter account for a stroll on Sunday. The
real-talk session was primarily question-based, and it certainly lead to the
feeling that Kanye either isn't completely comfortable slinging the B-word
every which way or that he's been browbeaten into wondering if he's really down
with it. Take it away, 'Ye."I usually never tweet questions but I struggle
with this so here goes... Is the word Bitch acceptable? To be more
specific, is it acceptable for a man to call a woman a bitch even if it's
endearing? Even typing it in question form it's still feels
harsh? Has hip hop conditioned us to accept this word?

When you think Motown Records, you think of artists like Diana Ross, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, just to name a few. Now Ne-Yo joins the legendary list of soul and R&B singers that will record under the iconic brand created by Berry Gordy in 1959.

The Grammy Award-winning singer (and co-star of the George Lucas-produced "Red Tails") has moved from Def Jam to Motown Records, according to a statement sent to MTV News on Wednesday (January 25). Not only that, Ne-Yo will also take over as the label's senior vice president of A&R.

"I'm honored that IÂ¹ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; terrified because I know that playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, Mr. Smokey Robinson â€” these are big shoes to fill. But trust, I can handle it," the singer said in the statement.

Ne-Yo released his debut In My Own Words on Def Jam in 2006 and dropped three subsequent albums with the powerhouse hip-hop label. The singer/songwriter's fifth LP will now come through Motown, which, like Def Jam, falls under the Universal umbrella. In addition to his artistry and ear for talent as an A&R, Ne-Yo will also bring his Compound Entertainment imprint over to Motown.

"His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark," said Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO Barry Weiss in the same statement. "But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012."

"We are committed to discovering, developing and nurturing R&B/soul superstars here at Motown," she said. "In Ne-Yo we have both a global superstar and arguably one of the best songwriters in music. His presence on the executive team only strengthens our commitment to be the very best in R&B."

What do you think of Ne-Yo's move over to Motown? Tell us in the comments!

dele's 21 gives a whole new meaning to "Achy Breaky Heart." And since the singer's unstoppable album will notch its 17th non-consecutive week at #1 next week on the Billboard albums chart, she now shares that honor with Billy Ray Cyrus' breakthrough, Some Gave All, which did the same in 1992.

After blowing past the 1997 "Titanic" soundtrack last week, Adele sold another 95,000 copies of 21 to keep the top spot, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. That was more than enough to lock out the 21st edition of the Kidz Bop series, which will debut at #2 on sales of 59,000.

The only other new face in the top 10 is gospel act James Fortune & FIYA's Identity, which moved 18,000 units.

Otherwise, it was pretty quiet, with punk band Attack Attack! sliding into the #11 spot with their new one, This Means War (17,000), and the soundtrack to the Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah feel-good movie "Joyful Noise" jumping up nine spots in its second week to #12 (just under 17,000). Down at #26 was protest folkie Ani DiFranco with Which Side Are You On? (11,000) and, at #33, soft rockers Snow Patrol, whose Fallen Empires tumbled 28 spots in its second week on the charts.

Adele might be safe for another week if the latest from country star Tim McGraw doesn't push her out of the top spot. Other new releases include albums from Lamb of God, Kellie Pickler and Amnesty International's four-disc Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan compilation.

"It makes me a little paranoid because no matter what, I don't think any person, or any male, goes into a relationship thinking that they're going to leave or wouldn't be there," he tells PEOPLE at GQ's Men of the Year party at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. "I think the circumstances a lot of times dictates things, right?"

Earlier today the legendary artist known for a slew of hits had returned from shopping and was climbing some stairs when he started having trouble breathing. After a friend found him collapsed on the stairs onlookers called 911, Heavy D maintain a pulse while paramedics transported him to a local hospital. As of 4:03 p.m. EST we were informed he had passed on. Heavy D a mainstay in the late 80's and early 90's had over the past few years returned to the stage releasing a critically acclaimed album. Best know for hits like "Now that we found love", "Somebody for me", and a slew of other massive fan friendly songs was also instrumental in the career and success of fellow guru's and artists Sean "Puffy" Combs, Soul4Real, and many other artists. He was known as friendly and charismatic by all who met him. The music world has lost a tremendous talent. Heavy D was 44 years old.
Read more »

This Monday marks Anderson Cooper's premiere as a daytime talk show host, and he starts things off on a serious note, talking to the parents of Amy Winehouse. Mitch and Janis Winehouse visited Anderson for an exclusive interview to discuss the demise of their musically gifted daughter for the first time (sort of), largely to reaffirm that drugs were not to blame for her death. Here's what they said... "I've been banging on about the fact that she hasn't taken drugs in three years," Mitch said. "Everyone thought I was in denial, I wasn't in denial, she hadn't taken drugs. She'd been clean for round about three years." "Her problem was alcohol, the last Â»

Jay-Z the self proclaimed god emcee has a long history of putting out hits and landing the top spot on billboard. Since 1995 Jay-Z has kept the hits coming under a variety of monickers and aliases he has built a loyal fan base across the world that rarely ever criticizes his failures publicly. After the much hyped collaboration album with protege Kanye West leaked in bits the criticism began. Fans found themselves at a crossroad whether this album would live up to it's hype. Some preferred to wait a few more listen throughs before passing judgement but for the most part the public is trashing this album and calling it too progressive. Jay-Z an amazing talent who made his career on the grounds of crossover appeal has never dealt with this kind of backlash over his work. Fans have taken to twitter to express their disgust at the albums lack of actual hip hop instead saying it's just the same stuff we've been hearing for 10 plus years. "Rich rap" as it is called, the look at me and what I have message that has been Jay's signature since he first made forbes. That has to rub people the wrong way in a depression. Many are now stating that it's time for him to go and that he's not bringing anything new to the game. I for one could not agree more, I can only imagine how hard it is to emulate and try to rap about a life you never lived in the first place (I moved kilos, I had spots) and therefore we understand his approach to rapping about progressive riches but it gets a little tiresome. No matter how you rephrase how bad your chick is and how exclusive your car is and how you have your own jet we are starting feel like "we've heard that already".

So we ask the public do you think Jay-Z should hang it up and walk away or do you think he can bounce back and reconnect with fans on a basic level?

Ask Cee Lo what he thought of Gwyneth Paltrow's version of his hit song onGlee, and he responds with an F-word. Fantastic. "She sings like a natural," says Cee Lo, who was so impressed that he and Paltrow have recorded a new version of "F---- You." They were at work at studio Msr in New York over the weekend and again on Monday afternoon, he tells People exclusively. And that's not the end of it. They'll meet again when Paltrow hosts Saturday Night Live on Jan. 15 when Cee Lo performs. Â»

Susan Boyleâ€™s â€œThe Giftâ€ keeps on giving. After Kanye West nudged her out of the top spot this week, it looks like sheâ€™ll be headed back to No. 1 next week on the Billboard 200 with sales of up to 300,000. That takes her past the million mark in only four weeks. Taylor Swift, whom Boyle knocked out of No. 1, rises back to No. 2, with a respectable 160,000 or so. And, weâ€™re sure much to Westâ€™s consternation, she will likely top West, who drops to No. 3 with projected sales of 140,000. â€œGleeâ€ continues its world domination as the Â»

Wow. HasJennifer Lopezbeen eliminated byAmerican Idolbefore she ever even took her seat on the judges' panel? Not evenWilliam Hunggot the hook so fast! Lopez was reportedly a candidate to join Idolas a replacement for Simon (and most likely also Kara) but talks have quite possibly collapsed. Here's the latest: According to a People.com source, plans to hook up Jenny from the Block withAmerican Idolcollapsed becauseâ€”wait for itâ€”J.Lo is kind of a diva. According to the source, "Her demands got out of hand...Fox had just had enough." Network Fox and production companyFremantle Mediaboth replied to request for comment with a big, fat...wait for it..."NoRead more »

Now, Winehouse is planning a project with one of Hip Hop's most acclaimed producers, ?uestlove, the drummer behind The Roots and Raphael Saadiq, who will be playing the guitar. No name has yet been given to the group.

In the past, Winehouse was denied a visa for posessing cannabis and for an assault she has been cleared of since. As a result, getting together has been a challenge, but one thattechnology has allowed them to tackle.

"The group will definitely happen. It's just the closest she can come to the States is Jamaica. I'm off to France soon so I'll see if she's up for discussing it over dinner. We're Skype-ing the shit out of each other."

EMINEM'S LAST ALBUM?If you ask me,Eminemis too talented to be considering retirement. But, I am hearing this. Sources deep within the halls of Interscope Records have come back to me saying that Eminem will rebuild Shady Records and step off...riding off into the sunset. According to my source, Em is going to do this in 2011, spring or fall. I heard part of it is going to be produced by Em, but mostly Dr. Dre. There is no title or anything like that. Anyway, Eminem's album is out right now...Monday. You know what this means? If fans bust out, they could usurp Drake from that top slot!!!LIL WAYNE SAYS - "I'M GUILTY" Lil' Wayne is in Rikers, but he is still fighting other cases outside of the bing. He was forced to plead guilty in AZ instead of looking at jail time. He caught a case in '08, where the coppers found a gun, weed, coke and some ex pills on his tour bus. Wayne just pleaded guilty and now he's going to go through 36 months of probation. Don't dudes get tired of going through the system? It has to be a headache.DEF JAM SIGNS MORE SINGERS Def Jam used to be the illest Hip-Hop label, but it looks like its getting closer to the illest R&B label. Not only have they had the likes of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, but it appears that they are close to signing Brandy and new jack thug singer J. Holiday. Apparently, The Dream is running his jibs about it. He is an executive at Def Jam in addition to being one of the singers. I BET this was plotted out in some way so Brandy has a happy ending to her reality show.Read more »

"They tried to force me into a situation -- I'm not sure if it was the label -- [but] somebody tried to force me into a situation and drop the album June 9," Drake said in an interview. "I really was like, 'June 9 isn't enough time to let them digest all the leakedmusic. If they got the music already, let's let them listen to it. Let's give them that two weeks to ride around to it and talk to their friends about it.' 'Cause that way when they show up to the store, there's no pressure -- you know what you're buying. You're just going to support an artist you love and music you believe in."Read more »

"It wasn't really a bitter divorce," Kelis told controversial bloggerPerez Hiltonin an interview. "Sometimes [we're on friendly terms.] [laughs] No, [we didn't reconcile], not reconcile in the sense like we're back together. But I mean, you know, we had about eight years. Yeah, I am [seeing someone]. [It's been going on] for a little while. It's going great. He's not [a musician.] [Famous?] I guess it depends on who you ask. [laughs]" (Perez TV)Read more »